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TechFor60s

Don’t worry — this is a common issue and usually easy to fix!

iPhone & iPad Error

Bluetooth Pairing Unsuccessful

What This Means (In Plain English)

Your iPhone could not connect to a Bluetooth device like headphones, a speaker, or your car. The two devices were not able to find each other.

Low UrgencyThis is not urgent. Take your time with the fix.

Common Causes

  • The Bluetooth device is not in pairing mode
  • The device is already connected to another phone
  • They are too far apart
  • A software glitch on either device

How to Fix It — Step by Step

  1. 1

    Make sure the Bluetooth device is in "pairing mode" — check its manual for how to do this.

  2. 2

    On your iPhone, go to Settings > Bluetooth and make sure Bluetooth is turned on.

  3. 3

    If the device appears in the list, tap "Forget This Device", then try pairing again.

  4. 4

    Restart both your iPhone and the Bluetooth device.

  5. 5

    Make sure the devices are within about 3 feet (1 metre) of each other when pairing.

  6. 6

    Check that the Bluetooth device is not already connected to another phone or tablet.

How to Prevent This in the Future

Keep your Bluetooth devices charged. When pairing, keep the devices close together and make sure no other device is trying to connect at the same time.

Still stuck? Don’t worry!

If the steps above did not solve the problem, ask a trusted friend or family member for help, or contact us and we will do our best to assist you.